Kids & Family
A Child is Waiting: Quick-witted LeeAnn is Funny, Kind and Loyal
Hundreds of Michigan teens are hoping for adoption by willing "forever families" before aging out of the foster care system.
By Honey Murray for Digital First Media
Slightly sassy…
When asked to describe sixteen-year-old LeeAnn, her adoption worker smiles and answers, “LeeAnn is really sassy -- in a good, appropriate way. She’s got a great sense of humor and will banter back and forth. She’s really fun to be around!”
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LeeAnn’s worker recalls their first meeting.
“She was apprehensive at first, with a little bit of an emotional wall. But, when we began chatting about a staff member we both know, she softened, becoming her sweet, charming self.”
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Hopes for social work career
LeeAnn’s care providers describe her as very caring, kind and thoughtful.
“She’s loyal, lovable and loving,” her worker says. “And she just wants, more than anything, to know someone out there loves her, too.”
A spirited teen who loves to laugh, she also cares deeply for others, showing special empathy and concern for the younger children in foster care.
“I’d like to be a social worker or therapist,” LeeAnn shares, “so that I can help people.”
Dreams of trip to Puerto Rico…
LeeAnn would also like to travel someday to Puerto Rico.
“I’ve heard it is very pretty!” she says.
Her favorite class at school is English, and she likes participating in volleyball, track and dancing.
“She’s making great progress processing her past trauma,” says her adoption worker, who states that LeeAnn would thrive with a patient, flexible adoptive family that has experience with teenage girls.
…and of a forever family
“She’d do well with a mom and dad, a single mom who has a support system or two moms,” says her worker, “who’d support LeeAnn in maintaining contact with her two sisters, who are extremely important to her.”
She adds, “And since LeeAnn likes cats, a family that has one -- or would welcome one -- would be a bonus.”
“As a family,” LeeAnn says, “we could go shopping, go out to eat, watch movies...they’d keep me safe -- and be someone who sticks by your side through everything.”
For more information about adoption or mentoring, contact Orchards Children’s Services of Southfield at 855-694-7301, or visit www.orchards.org.